Countrywide protests against Israeli atrocities

ISLAMABAD/KARACHI/PESHAWAR - Religious parties marked Sunday as a day of solidarity with the Palestinian people, protesting against the Israeli military aggression against innocent Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.The protest demos demanded United Nations and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to take measures to de-escalate the situation.Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Chapter took out a massive rally from Naumaish Chowrangi to Sea Breeze Plaza (Taj Complex) in order to express solidarity with the Palestinians.The rally was led by JI Sindh Ameer Dr Mairaj-ul-Huda Siddiqui and JI Karachi Chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman while other JI leaders were also present on the occasion.A large number of people belonging to different walks of life attended the rally. They raised placards and banners inscribed with “We condemn Israeli attacks on Gaza”, “Go-down with Israel and US” and “We are with the people of Gaza”.The protesters chanted slogans against Israel and United States and demanded immediate cease-fire in Gaza. Addressing the gathering, JI Sindh Chief Dr Mairaj-ul-Huda Siddiqui stressed upon the need that the Muslim countries should play their active role in stopping Israeli aggression in Gaza.Siddiqui demanded immediate ceasefire in Palestine with the intervention of United Nations, adding, that the UN should play its due role in this regard. “Hundreds of innocent people including children and women are being killed by the barbarism of Israel”, he added.Siddiqui said that the United Nations has completely failed to stop Israeli aggression in Gaza, adding, that why the champions of human rights remain silent on the adverse violation of human rights in Palestine.He regretted that the Muslim countries including Pakistan do not retaliate over the Israeli barbarism against Palestine, adding, that the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) should also play its role in ceasefire in Gaza.Speaking at the occasion, Hafiz Naeem said that the Western world through its heinous designs created anarchy and injustice in Muslim countries.He said that the Israel has full support of US in its violent attitude against Palestine, however, entire Muslim Ummah not yet registered its protest against the massive violation of human rights in Gaza during the sacred month of Ramazan.He said that the massive rally of Jamaat-e-Islami in order to express solidarity with Palestine and its people was a clear message that the party leadership is with the Muslims of Palestine, Syria, Egypt and others.Similarly, Pakistan Sunni Tehreek (PST) and Jamaat Ahle Sunnat also staged protest at Karachi Press Club and condemned the brutal Israeli attack, massacre and genocide of Palestinians in Gaza Strip. PST leader Shahid Ghori addressing the participants said that hundreds of Palestinian citizens including aged, women and children are being murdered mercilessly due to the attack of the Israeli soldiers. Israel is continuing its attack on Gaza paying no heed to the world community`s objection while the Pakistani nation have took stance against such Israeli invasion. We demand United Nations to take effective steps to stop Israeli brutal attack and genocide against the Palestinian citizens in Gaza strip, he added. On the occasion, Jammat Ahle Sunnat leader Abrar Rehmani said mass killing is going on in Gaza while Israel is carrying air strikes and destroying the houses of Palestinian people. Central Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Siraj-ul-Haq strongly condemned brutal bombardment of Israeli forces against innocent Palestinians and announced to observe a weeklong protest from 14 of July 2014. He was addressing an emergency press conference in Peshawar at the Markaz-e-Islami Peshawar on Sunday. Jamaat-e-Islami General Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shabir Ahmad Khan, Provincial Information Secretary Israrullah Advocate, Jamaat-e-Islami district Peshawar Amir Bakhrullah Khan advocate were also present on the occasion. Siraj-ul-Haq said that it is the time for entire Muslim rulers to get united against Israel and take immediate step to stop their aggression against innocent Palestinians. He questioned that how Islamic countries would take advantages of their resources when they are silent at such important occasions. He paid tribute to Turk premier Taeeb Urdagan for warning Israel in case of not stopping attacks on Ghaza. He said that like Turk prime minister, Mian Nawaz Sharif should also play leading role in this critical hour. He added that Muslim rulers should convey strict messages to Israel. He said that US and international community silence over these atrocities is meaningful and they are not interested to ask about the miseries of innocent Palestinians. Legal fraternity of the federal capital has strongly condemned Israel’s ongoing airstrikes and brutalities in Ghaza and announced to observe complete strike against these atrocities today. On the call of Punjab Bar Council (PBC), the legal community has decided to stay away from court proceedings to lodge their protest against Israel’s brutal attacks on the innocent people of Palestine. Talking to The Nation, Chaudhary Khalid Advocate, media coordinator of Islamabad Bar Association (IBA), said that lawyers had decided to observe complete strike at Islamabad High Court (IHC) and district courts to express their solidarity with the suppressed and bereaved Palestinians.He said that they also demanded of the United Nations to come forward and play its role to stop Israel from brutal terror attacks against the innocent people. He further remarked that they also demanded of the government of Pakistan to raise voice at international forums in favour of Palestinians and against the brutal acts of Jewish country.Khalid urged the rulers to unite Muslim Ummah and Muslim countries against the fierce attacks of Israel and helped the oppressed people of Palestine at this time of need.

This news was published in The Nation newspaper. Read complete newspaper of 14-Jul-2014 here.